WASHINGTON (WDNews) — President Donald Trump on December 18th announced plans for a nationwide athletic competition dubbed the “Patriot Games,” set to take place next year as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The event will be organized under Freedom 250, a new initiative Trump said will oversee the administration’s efforts to commemorate the nation’s founding in 2026.
According to Trump, the Patriot Games will be a four-day competition held next fall, featuring top high school athletes from across the country. Each state and U.S. territory will be represented by one male and one female athlete.
Trump said the event would be the “first-ever Patriot Games,” describing it as an unprecedented showcase of young athletic talent. In a video posted to social media, he added that there would be “no men playing in women’s sports,” echoing his administration’s policies opposing the participation of transgender athletes in women’s competitions.
The Patriot Games will be one of several events planned for the semiquincentennial celebration. Other activities announced include a “Great American State Fair” on the National Mall from June 25 to July 10, featuring exhibits from all 50 states; an Independence Day celebration with fireworks and a military flyover; and a planned Ultimate Fighting Championship event at the White House on June 14.
The announcement of the Patriot Games drew swift reaction on social media, with some users comparing the competition to the fictional “Hunger Games” series. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, posted a meme referencing the films, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom shared a clip from the movie franchise.
The United States will mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.
